How MotoGP's concessions system will work in 850cc new era

The concessions system that was implemented in MotoGP for the first time in 2014 consisted of a series of measures aimed at separating manufacturers into different categories, based on their performance and results, with the aim of helping those that have the most difficulty in making progress.

After the success of the original system, which at that time helped Ducati reach the level of the Japanese constructors, MotoGP’s sporting management decided in 2024 to bring back concessions but this time to help Japanese brands Honda and Yamaha, as well as KTM and Aprilia, recover the lost ground to Ducati.

Now, with the arrival of a new MotoGP era in 2027 featuring sweeping changes in technical regulations, the question is: will the concessions continue?

The system will not end at the end of the year, but will be maintained into 2027 with nuances.

According to the new technical regulations for next year, all the manufacturers that have competed this year will begin the 2027 season in the concessions group B; a tier in which no manufacturer is currently present, as Ducati is in A, Aprilia, KTM and Honda are in C, and Yamaha is in D.

Midway through the 2027 season, the first 'checkpoint' will arrive, based exclusively on the results of the first races of the season.

Depending on the results of those first races of the season, the manufacturers will be reassigned to the group that corresponds to them according to their results.

Augusto Fernández, Yamaha test rider

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

Another interesting nuance introduced by the new regulation in this regard is that “manufacturers that have not competed in 2026 will begin the 2027 season in range D. Their classifications will also be reviewed at the mid-season checkpoint of 2027, based on the first half of the season”. This leaves the door open to the arrival of new manufacturer, although no new brands have signed up for the new regulations.

The counter is reset in Valencia

Although the regulation speaks of ‘checkpoints’ at mid-season and end of the season, two per year, the change of regulations in 2027 means the counter is reset immediately after this year's Valencia Grand Prix on 29 November.

In this way, the first 2027 pre-season test, which will be held either on Monday or Tuesday after the Valencia round, will already be governed by the new concessions ranges, with all manufacturers placed in group B.

This is a test in which the teams will be able to count on the riders contracted for the next season, although they will not be able to make comments or wear the colors of their new factory until 1 January.

Crucially, the counter reset means no manufacturer will be able to organise further tests with anyone who is not their designated test rider. This is important as Yamaha was able to field its own factory and Pramac race riders in a private test at Jerez after the end of the 2025 season.

Curretn MotoGP concession tiers: